Leo Held was a paragon of respectability. He was a middle-aged, hard-working lab technician who had worked at the same Pennsylvania paper mill for nineteen years. Having been a Boy Scout leader, an affectionate father, a member of the local fire brigade, and a regular church-goer, he was admired as a model in his community.Continue reading “Resentment”
Category Archives: Struggles
An Open Letter to Those Suffering in the Hospital
Dear Friend, You’ve leaned into your faith so many times before. When fears have stirred you to wakefulness, you’ve turned to Scripture for assurance of God’s love. When anxiety has troubled you, you’ve sung hymns, recited the liturgy, and prayed with your brothers and sisters in Christ. You’ve learned to run to the Lord whenContinue reading “An Open Letter to Those Suffering in the Hospital”
Does Chronic Pain Serve a Purpose?
We have a heavy question today about unalleviated chronic pain. It comes from an anonymous man who listens to the podcast. “Pastor John, hello. Thank you for this podcast, and thank you for taking my question. My mother, a believer, struggles with debilitating — very debilitating — nerve pain and can get no medical reliefContinue reading “Does Chronic Pain Serve a Purpose?”
None of Us Are Unscathed
At the end of the most difficult twelve-month period in the history of air travel, Ed Bastian, the CEO of Delta Airlines, is sounding a note of optimism. Celebrating the steady rise in bookings and the gradual return to normal passenger volumes, he recently said, “As the case counts are coming down in meaningful levels asContinue reading “None of Us Are Unscathed”
Burdening Ourselves to Death
I have several friends in ministry who recently unplugged from social media. When a particular flashbulb, social media incident precipitated angst and outrage on “Christian twitter,” my friends remained calm and steady. When I asked if they had heard about such and such an occurrence, they nonchalantly shrugged it off. I was envious of theContinue reading “Burdening Ourselves to Death”
Why Do We Add to Our Troubles?
The road is narrow. The path is long. The way is rough. Yet God has called each one of us to run the race of the Christian life. Our every step in this great race is taken in the presence of deadly enemies, our every stride opposed by the world, the flesh, and the devil.Continue reading “Why Do We Add to Our Troubles?”
Perseverance in Suffering
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved inContinue reading “Perseverance in Suffering”
Suffering By Grace
Saved by grace is a term that flows off our lips comfortably. If you have been an evangelical Christian for long, the phrase is as natural as saying your name. Suffering by grace just does not sound correct as it rolls off your lips. It sounds awkward. Nevertheless, we must deal with Paul’s assertion thatContinue reading “Suffering By Grace”
Forgiveness Myths
Several years ago, I led a series on the subject of forgiveness with college students when I was a seminary intern at my church. I did not know what kind of engagement to expect from our students, but I know I was not prepared for their response. Every person in the discussion group I wasContinue reading “Forgiveness Myths”
A Fisherman’s Advice
Evidently I don’t have a strong stomach, because the last time I went fishing at sea I got sick. I know fishing trips are famous for being exaggerated, but I’ll be honest with you: there was no storm. It was a normal day, with normal waves, and we didn’t even go far out to sea.Continue reading “A Fisherman’s Advice”
